Jon Stewart Criticizes Parent Company Over Stephen Colbert’s Late Show Cancellation, Highlights Corporate Censorship and Media Fear

Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, launched a fierce critique of his own parent company following the cancellation of his longtime friend Stephen Colbert’s Late Show.

In the opening of his Monday night episode, Stewart addressed the corporate anxiety surrounding the $8 billion at stake, stating that much of that revenue was generated by the very bold, opinion-driven shows now facing cancellation or censorship.

He emphasized that these shows are unafraid to take a stand, saying, “We don’t speak truth to power; we speak opinions to television cameras, but we try — we try every night.” Stewart warned against companies making their content so bland to avoid controversy that they lose viewer interest and relevance.

Referencing current political tensions, Stewart highlighted how Donald Trump is suing Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox News — a network heavily supportive of Trump — illustrating the extreme polarization and complex media dynamics.

Stewart addressed conspiracy theories around the cancellation of The Late Show, disputing claims that Trump or financial issues were the cause. Instead, he cited a pervasive culture of fear and preemptive compliance within American institutions reluctant to oppose the current political leadership.

Despite concerns about cancellation, Stewart stated he is “not giving in” and remains committed to his show, though he acknowledged the uncertainty due to Paramount’s ownership of both CBS and Comedy Central.

He closed his segment by echoing a line from Colbert, delivered in song: “If you’re afraid and you protect your bottom line, I’ve got but one thing to say — go f*** yourself.”

Stewart also humorously compared late-night TV’s struggles to outdated businesses, saying, “We are all basically operating a Blockbuster kiosk inside of a Tower Records.”

Reflecting on his long-standing professional relationship with Colbert — who worked as a correspondent on The Daily Show before hosting his own show — Stewart admitted he is not an objective commentator on the situation.

Regarding The Daily Show’s future, Stewart mentioned new ownership under Skydance might consider canceling the program. He expressed frustration with the company’s silence but remained confident, stating, “We’ll land on our feet.”